Best Grants for Children in Kansas

Youth- and child-serving 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Kansas City metro, including eligible counties in Kansas, can seek funding for education, youth services, family support, and community development programs. Grants from Hall Family Foundation help Kansas groups improve educational outcomes, expand wraparound services, and increase equity and well-being for children and families.

Dane G Hansen Foundation

Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with a generous estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an entrepreneur whose business interests over the course of his life included, among others, retail, lumber, road and bridge construction and oil. Reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong love of Northwest Kansas, the charitable foundation that bears his name has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Fulfillment of our mission is predicated on three specific goals: Strengthening and supporting our communities, Creating an environment for growth, and Increasing economic opportunities.

NW Kansas CARES for Kids

Access to quality early childhood education is important to the quality of life and economic health of every community. 

NW Kansas CARES for Kids includes multiple grants designed to assist childcare centers and qualified family childcare homes (formerly group homes) in attracting and retaining staff, providing educational materials, and also helping to sustain existing slots and to provide more slots for Northwest Kansas children.

About Us

The Phillips County Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 Kansas Nonprofit Corporation dedicated to promoting civic pride and community cohesiveness, encouraging community projects of all types, raising and granting funds, and providing avenues for the community and individuals to financially support their interests. The Phillips County Community Foundation also serves as a conduit to facilitate giving from private or family foundations to organizations and causes.

History

The Phillips County Community Foundation (PCCF) is a 501(c)3 public non-profit foundation created to conduct charitable and educational services for residents of Phillips County. The Foundation began in 2003, as Phillips County Development and Community Foundation, Inc. It now operates as PCCF with a 10-member Board. In addition to managing endowments, funds and scholarships, the Foundation owns the Fischer Building and operates the Entrepreneurial Center (E-Center).

Phillips County Community Foundation: Mini-Grant

Discover how we empower the Phillips County community through our Mini Grants program. Apply for funding up to $1,000 for your projects. Download the form, complete it, and submit via email to pccf@phillipscofounation.org or drop it off at our office. 

Russell County Area Community Foundation

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is an Affiliate Foundation of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation with all funds managed by GNWKCF.

At the Russell County Area Community Foundation, we believe in hometowns and preserving our rural way of life. Our mission is to help people invest in meaningful ways to make a difference in the community by building permanent endowment funds and meeting charitable community needs. RCACF was founded in 2001 to benefit the communities in the Russell County area. We are an affiliate of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, a 501c3 organization. This helps us effectively pool resources with other foundations for community growth. Our local board of directors provides leadership on decisions that directly impact our communities.

Russell Area Youth Activities Fund

Helping Youth Participate, Learn & Thrive

Removing financial barriers so every child has the opportunity to grow, explore, and succeed.

The Russell Area Youth Activities Fund is designed to promote the health and well-being of children and to encourage healthy lifestyles through involvement in extra-curricular activities, including athletics, performing arts, visual arts, and literacy programs.

Important Information

• Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Financial need must be demonstrated.
• Grant payments are made directly to the activity provider on behalf of the child.

How Can the Russell Area Youth Activities Fund Help?

The fund provides financial assistance so local youth can participate in activities they might otherwise be unable to afford. 

Organizations supporting youth services in Kansas can apply for the Earl & Stelouise Sauder Youth Assistance Fund to run positive group activities for children and teens 18 and under in Lyon, Coffey, Chase, and Greenwood counties. Emporia Community Foundation prioritizes projects that benefit the most children and demonstrate strong volunteer involvement.

About

Lawyers Supporting Community

As the charitable arm of the Johnson County Bar Association, our Foundation supports local projects with a connection to the legal community. We also maintain an annual grant program that supports children and family-related charities and organizations.

Our Mission

Since day one, we’ve made it our mission to provide support for children and family-related charities and harness the power of the legal community to empower connection, opportunity and positive change in Kansas City. We are lawyers helping the community by promoting – on behalf of the legal profession – good works which advance our local system of justice, or support children and family-related organizations.

Apply for a Grant

The Johnson County Bar Foundation maintains an annual grant program to support legal-related programs and charitable organizations in Kansas City. Since 1988, we’ve given out more than $2 million to 30+ carefully selected grantees and to local charities.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits running arts or education programs can seek grants to help people develop their talents and contribute to their communities. Koch Family Foundation supports initiatives that foster lifelong learning and a vibrant, inclusive Kansas, which may benefit organizations serving children and youth through creative or educational programming.

Kansas City–area 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving endangered children, disadvantaged people, and youth programs can seek funding for program development, operations, equipment, building renovation, and matching funds. The Curry Family Foundation provides grants up to US $25,000 to organizations in eligible Kansas and Missouri counties working in child welfare, education, arts, health, and social services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies serving children and families through arts, education, health, human services, or community beautification may be eligible for support, including work in Kansas counties. Helen S. Boylan Foundation provides funding for new initiatives, program expansion, capital improvements, and building renovations within its designated service areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and youth in Kansas communities where Penn National Gaming operates can seek funding for local programs. Grants from Penn National Gaming help Kansas youth services with community development, education, human services, health, cultural affairs, and support for veterans’ and military families in their area.

Nonprofit organizations serving children, women, and older adults in Emporia and Lyon County, Kansas can apply for grants supporting care and comfort services. Grants from Emporia Community Foundation help Kansas youth services by funding programs that improve quality of life for children and families in this region. Individuals are not eligible.

Kansas nonprofits, schools, and government entities serving children can access funding through the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas for programs benefiting youth and children’s issues. Grants support charitable work in Southwest Kansas counties, including child welfare, youth services, children’s health, and children’s mental health initiatives that improve local quality of life.

Kansas communities under 5,000 residents can fund tangible projects that boost childcare, youth services, libraries, food access, and community vibrancy through the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) Grant, awarding US $10,000 - US $25,000. Eligible applicants include local governments, economic development organizations, chambers, and 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits across many Kansas counties, with a 10% match required.

Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation

Our mission is to empower our donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.

Northwest Kansas Early Childhood Sustainability Grant Fund

To help sustain licensed childcare centers or nonprofit qualified family childcare homes (formerly classified as nonprofit group homes).

To assist with sustainability of quality nonprofit early education centers or qualified childcare homes in Northwest Kansas, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the State of Kansas – through the Children’s Cabinet, and the Patterson Family Foundation, have collaborated to create this permanently endowed grant fund.

What is meant by sustainability?

The grant is intended to address a budget shortfall or unforeseen issue that, if not addressed, could result in the closure of the facility or closure of classrooms, or that jeopardizes the standard of care provided.

Applicants can ask for budgetary support for operations in order to divert dollars for a necessary or critical capital expenditure without which the ability of the facility to stay open or provide safe, quality care is threatened.

Examples could include HVAC, structural or safety issues, or issues noted by the fire marshal or during a license review.

When possible, facilities must strive for full enrollment – while always meeting KDHE guidelines. It is understood that facilities will often “hold slots” while a current child in care ages up.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal entities, and government agencies serving disadvantaged or at-risk children, youth, and families can apply for project-focused support from the Winter Family Fund, administered via Douglas County Community Foundation. Funding prioritizes work in Douglas, Franklin, and Johnson counties, with additional support for services reaching Taos County, New Mexico.

Kansas City–area 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families in crisis can access youth services funding and in-kind support through a major Chiefs Charity Game partnership. Hunt Family Foundation and the Kansas City Chiefs provide approximately US $75,000 in tickets plus game proceeds to expand programs and organizational capacity for children-focused nonprofits in the region.

501(c)(3) organizations in South Central Kansas can apply for Foundation Management’s Shaw Family Foundation Grant to support social services, arts programs, and scholarships connected to the Kansas University Endowment Association. Youth-serving nonprofits, including those in Wichita and surrounding counties, may benefit if their work aligns with these priorities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and local governments serving children and youth in Douglas County, Kansas can apply for Douglas County Community Foundation’s community grants, awarding US $1,000 - US $10,000 for local projects. Funding can support youth-focused work in areas like education, health, arts, housing, and human services across Kansas communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, school districts, and government entities working on rural economic and community development can apply for US $25,000 - US $500,000 from Patterson Family Foundation to test innovative economic opportunity solutions. Kansas organizations, especially those serving youth in rural communities, may benefit from support for regional innovation hubs and industry diversification strategies.

Kansas K-12 schools and partner community or faith-based organizations offering after-school or expanded learning programs can apply for Kansas State Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding. Focused on academic enrichment for children in high-poverty schools, this opportunity supports new sites serving students at schools with at least 40% free or reduced lunch.

Kansas after-school and summer learning providers serving children in high-poverty schools can access funding through the Kansas State Department of Education to expand out-of-school academic enrichment. Eligible re-applicants must have received 21st Century Community Learning Centers funds within the past five years and serve students at schools with at least 40% free or reduced-price lunch enrollment.

501(c)(3) organizations in Kansas serving children’s basic needs, education, or wellness can apply for the Kansas City Childrens Assistance Network’s KC Can Grant, with awards up to US $50,000 for defined projects. Funding supports short-term (under one year) initiatives that address clear needs and provide lasting benefits for Kansas City’s children.

Established CASA programs recognized by the Kansas CASA Association can obtain funding to recruit, train, and support volunteers who advocate in court for abused and neglected children in Kansas. Grants from Kansas Governor's Grants Program help Kansas youth services strengthen court advocacy so children achieve safe, permanent placements and better-informed judicial outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations serving at-risk children and youth in Crawford, Cherokee, and Labette counties in Kansas can apply for Elm Acres Foundation funding to support programs and services. Grants from Elm Acres Foundation help Kansas youth organizations run projects that improve the well-being of vulnerable children in Southeast Kansas.

Kansas City–area 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving K–12 youth in arts, education, health, or welfare can apply for grants supporting children in Greater Kansas City. Grants from Edward G and Kathryn E Mader Foundation help Kansas youth services expand direct-benefit programs for children across eligible counties in Kansas and Missouri, excluding salaries and general operating costs.

Kansas community-based organizations offering anti-poverty programs or training that benefit children, youth, and families can seek US $4,000 - US $39,000 for CSBG training and technical assistance projects in Kansas. Kansas Housing Resources Corporation funds efforts like community-based interventions, multigenerational poverty strategies, leadership development, and board governance to strengthen services for low-income residents.

Kansas youth and family-serving 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding for parenting education, youth mental health, and family-focused support through the KidsFUNd Grant, part of Central Kansas Community Foundation. Grants of US $1,000 - US $2,500 support programs benefiting children and families in Harvey, Butler, Marion, Elk, Wilson, and Sedgwick (Valley Center) counties.